Mt. Vernon City Council met December 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Mayor John Lewis called the meeting to order.
Jeff Steward, SSM Chaplain and Jefferson County Board Member, gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll Call:
Roll call showed present: Council Member Jeff May, Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Jim Rippy, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis.
Presentation Of Journals:
The Journals for the November 20, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting and the November 27, 2017 City Council Workshop Meeting were presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Journals as presented. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Visitors/Citizens Requests/Addresses From The Audience:
Randy Knox, Mount Vernon High School Tennis Coach, spoke on the need of resurfacing and repair of the six tennis courts at Veteran’s Memorial Park. Knox said that Mount Vernon tennis courts are the worst in Southern Illinois and they continue to deteriorate. The courts have not been repaired for eight to twelve years and they may not be usable for Spring tennis matches. Knox said that the best solution is for the City and Mount Vernon High School to build six new tennis courts in 2018. The second option is to repair and resurface the current courts this spring or summer at an estimated cost of $30,000.00. The third option is to do nothing which would be very detrimental to recreational and competitive tennis. He requested that the City take bids to repair and resurface the six tennis courts at Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Mayor John Lewis stated that both Mount Vernon High School and Rend Lake College tennis teams use the courts at Veteran’s Memorial Park. He asked Mr. Knox if he has spoken with Mount Vernon High School and Rend Lake College about assisting with the tennis court repairs. Knox said that interest is gaining at the High School and feels that Dave Junkins, Rend Lake College Tennis Coach, would support new courts.
Council Member Donte Moore explained that the City needs to see what the budget is at the first of the fiscal year before making a commitment. Moore asked about the drainage problem under the current courts. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that the cost of rerouting the storm sewer under the courts is not included in the $30,000.00 estimate. Bechtel stated that to fix the courts correctly, the storm sewer needs rerouting. Council Member Jim Rippy stated that the $30,000.00 would only buy a few years of use until a permanent solution is found. Mayor Lewis said that the City might be throwing good money away, if only resurfacing is done.
Randy Knox stated that the high school boys’ tennis season runs from February 29th through May 20, 2018. The high school girls’ tennis season begins on August 1, 2018 and the summer tennis programs begin on June 1, 2018. Council Member Mike Young asked how long it would take to do the repairs on the six courts. Knox replied, one to two weeks depending on the weather.
Approval Of Consolidated Vouchers For Accounts Payable:
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable were presented to Council for approval. Council Member Jim Rippy asked about the payable to UMB Bank NA for $2,004,936.88 for the 2012 Bond principal and interest payment. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that the City pays the interest semi-annually and the principal annually. The total annual payments for the 2010 and 2012 Bonds are around $3 million.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $3,404,358.84. Seconded by Council Member Jim Rippy. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Bids & Quotes:
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel reported on the bids received for the Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising Project in the Midtown Area. A total of five bids were received.
Bidder; Bid Amount:
Skuta Construction, Marion, IL; $40,011.25
Haier Plumbing, Okawville, IL; $40,154.60
David Mason & Associates, St. Louis, MO; $55,919.50
Hanks Excavating & Landscaping, Belleville, IL; $83,308.45
Visu-Sewer, St. Louis, MO; $42,942.50
Bechtel recommended the acceptance of the bid from Skuta Construction, Marion, for $40,011.25. Skuta is vetted and they are certified. She noted that this project is not the entire sewer system. This project identified four areas in Mount Vernon. These areas are: (A) 24th Street and College, (B) 19th Street and Perkins, (C) 20th Street to 17th Street on Jones, and (D) 12th Street and Cherry/ 11th Street and Casey. She feels that this will be a good start to solving some of the most significant sewer problems.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to accept the low bid from Skuta Construction for $40,011.25. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the proposal for the Billing Services Office remodel. One proposal was submitted by Bevis Construction Inc. in the amount of $50,300.00. The remodeling will include new carpeting, removal of paneling, replace and move the existing service window, new doors, and a counter will be installed to make the office more customer friendly and confidential.
Council Member Jeff May motioned to approve Bevis Construction’s proposal of $50,300.00 for the remodeling of the Billing Services Office. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager:
No report from the City Manager.
City Attorney:
City Attorney David Leggans presented the Second Reading of an Ordinance Declaring Property Surplus. City Manager Bechtel stated that the fourteen lots are listed as surplus: 815 S. 17th Street, 307 S. 13th Street, 906 S. 24th Street, 615 S. 20th Street, 210 N. 4th Street, 1007 S. 21st Street, 1005 S. 13th Street, 724 S. 20th Street, 503 N. 7th Street, 1017 Welkins, 2100 Logan Street, 309 Castleton, 2105 Cherry Street and 1103 Welkins. Ten of the lots are vacant and four have dilapidated structures on them. Other property included as surplus is the old street sweeper and one backhoe. Council Member Jim Rippy asked if the City is continuing to look at donating these lots to citizens to use as collateral on a home. Bechtel replied that it remains under consideration.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2017-49, an Ordinance Declaring Property Surplus. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Attorney David Leggans presented the First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Article 16, Section 16.7 and Renumbering Article 16, “Section 16.7 Continued” to Article 16B. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained this will update the Ordinance with the current practices and the Illinois EPA requirements. First Reading.
City Attorney David Leggans presented the First Reading of an Ordinance Concerning the Levy and Collection of Taxes. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that the amounts are estimated because the City has not received the amount of deposit needed from the State of Illinois for the Firefighter Pension Fund and the Police Pension Fund. If the numbers are not received in the next few days, the Ordinance may have to be passed with estimated numbers and if the numbers come in adversely then the City will need to figure out how to make the deposit from other funds. Council Member Jim Rippy complemented Bechtel for not having a 4.99% levy increase to avoid a Truth in Taxation Hearing. Bechtel stated that it may still happen, depending on the State’s numbers.
Finance Director Merle Hollmann presented a worksheet showing the Proposed City Tax Levy. This is tax levied in 2017 and payable in 2018. He explained that since the Firefighters’ and Police Pension required levies are not computed yet, the figures are estimated same as last year. The State hopes to have the deposit amount to the City by December 11th and these amounts will be changed to the required levies.
Council Member Jeff May asked if the pension payments are for unfunded pension liabilities. Hollmann replied that it is for current and unfunded pension liabilities. Under IMRF, May asked about the loan payment for the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI). Hollmann stated that the ERI loan payment is $185,000.00 and the balance of the loan is $1,120,900.00 at a rate of 3.75%. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that this is the first year of a seven-year loan. She said that if the pension estimates do not come in more than $130,000.00 or 8.5% increase, the City will remain under 5% for the total levy. Bechtel noted that the levies for the current tax year are abated so that no tax levies shall be extended for the current tax year. Taxes authorized to be levied for the 2010 and 2012 Bonds shall be extended in future years. This means that bond payments could be levied, but the City has chosen not to levy taxes for the payments. First Reading.
Mayor:
Mayor John Lewis thanked the Police, Fire, Public Utilities, and Public Works Departments for their work on the huge fire at 13th and Logan on Saturday, December 2nd. He commended the Departments and everyone for their hard work.
City Council:
No comments were heard from the City Council.
Visitors/Citizens Requests/Addresses From The Audience:
No comments were heard from the public.
Executive Session:
City Manager Bechtel requested an Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11) – Litigation.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11) – Litigation. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Council returned to open session at 7:45 p.m.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Jeff May, Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Jim Rippy, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis.
Adjournment:
Council Member Mike Young motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
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